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This week saw the final home games of the season with the exception of a showcase event in May.
On Monday the U14 boys played an unbeaten West Midlands side in a winner takes all game to decide the MCF title. Manager Neil Davies match report follows:
Staffordshire U14 Boys 1 West Midlands U14 Boys 0
On a night of high tension at Stafford Town, the Staffs boys emerged victorious from a thrilling game against West Midlands and so clinched the MCS title.
It was ‘win or bust’ for Staffs having lost earlier in the season to West Midlands so the boys knew what they had to do against a big, physical and talented West Midlands team. Knowing they needed to win the Staffs Managerial team set up in an adventurous 4-3-3 formation to try and force West Midlands back and use the wings to get round their pair of 6ft plus Centre Backs. For the first 20 minutes Staffs were well on top but couldn’t find the goal they needed until midfielder Todd Alcock finished off a sweeping move by firing in a fierce cross shot which just avoided the visiting keeper. As expected West Midlands came back and had a goal rightly disallowed for a push in the area. Half time came and it was simply a case of holding firm, knowing a second half clean sheet would guarantee the win. As the second half wore on the visitors launched crosses and long balls into the Staffs penalty box, but each time the defence and keeper held firm. It was by no means one way traffic either as Staffs threatened on several occasions. Rafferty Winnall agonisingly saw his shot rebound to safety off the underside of the bar. Led superbly by Captain Sol Ashworth the boys battled for every ball. Special mention to stand in left back Matt Cutler who dealt brilliantly with a very dangerous winger. But this game was all about team spirit and every single Staffordshire player ran through brick walls for the team.
The scenes at the final whistle summed up everything that this group of players is about. Togetherness, spirit and an abundance of ability have seen them through a tough first season and the winners trophy was well deserved. Every member of the 20 strong squad has played a huge part in this season’s success and should be very proud of their efforts.
Last night the final two Individual Schools' cup finals took place at Stafford Town FC in front of enthusiastic parents. Richard Wakefield school from Tutbury beat Pertton Middle School by 2-1 in a close fought encounter. The Under 11 boys final was a repeat of last years final with the reverse result. Codsall Middle School won 2-1 against Edge Hill School from Stapenhill in an enthralling encounter which produced some excellent football.
The Under 18 boys will receive their medals as MCF champions when they play West Midlands SFA on Monday 27th of April at Sandwell Academy KO7-00pm. This game will wrap up the season and planning for next season is already underway.
The season is drawing to a close and the week ahead sees the final matches played at Stafford Town and what games they should be.
On Monday the U14 Girls and Boys are in action against their West Midlands counterparts. Both games are taking place at Stafford Town FC. The Under 14 G kicking off at 6-15pm and the U14 B at 7-30pm. Admission for the games are £3 adults and £2 concessions. The Under 14 Girls should report at 5-00pm and usual dress code applies. The boys should report for 6-30 and again usual dress code applies.
The West Midlands girls will be crowned MCF champions having gone through the season unbeaten but it is the boys match which garners the most interest. If Staffordshire win the game then they will claim the titls wheras West Midlands will only need a draw to claim the honours and they hold the upper hand. However the Staffordshire boys have been excellent this year and if they can play to their best then they are in with a real chance of lifting the title. Whatever the outcome the two best U14 County teams in the Midlands will be contesting the game with a big reward awaiting the victors.
On Tuesday the boys and girls Under 11 Individual schools competitions finals take place at Stafford Town FC with a 6-00pm KO for the girls final and a 7-30 ko for the boys games. In the boys final current holders Edge Hill will take on Codsall Middle School. There is an admission charge of £2 for adults and £1 concessions.
The only two outstanding games are the U18 boys away to West Midlands and the U15 boys away to Herefordshire.
The U18 boys have already been crowned as champions.
This week anyone who has watched the miriad of games played cannot fail to have been impressed by the standard and quality as well as the committment and attitude of all of the boys and girls involved and a massive vote of thanks to all of the coaches,match officials and volunteers as well as the many supportive parents who watched the games.
Monday saw the Under 15 boys play Shropshire in a wonderfully entertaining game involving two sides who put on an outstanding display for the spectators but also played the game in the true spirit of the game. Staffordshire won the game 2-1 with goals from Jake Finney and Eden Bailey but when Shropshire scored the game swung from end to end though in truth Staffordshire spurned several chances which would have made them more comfortable winners.
Tuesday night saw John Taylor Academy and Trentham Academy go head to head in the Under 15 Boys individual Schools final. Trentham raced into a 3-0 lead 10 minutes into the second half in a fiercely competitive game but John Taylor scored three very quick goals to turn the game on its head. As the game moved towards penalties Trentham regained their advantage with two excellently worked goals to lift the trophy.
On Wednesday night the Under 16 girls took centre stage when they travelled to Lilleshall for their final game of the season. Despite totally dominating proceedings Staffordshire found themselves two goals down but these girls are resilient and the hit back to win by 5-2 with braces from skipper Katie Johnson and Macy Isherwood and a strike from Jessica Travers.
On Thursday a feast of football was to be had at St Georges Park where six cup finals took place. It was bitterley cold with an Arctic wind blowing and driving the odd icy shower across the pitches but in spite of the prevailing weather conditions all of the teams involved did themselves proud.
The Under 12 Boys title was lifted by De Ferrers boys with a 2-0 win over Excel Academy in an excellent game. DE Ferrers Under 13 girls almost made it a double leading 1-0 until the dying seconds but an Oldfields Hall equaliser took the game to penalties and Oldfields Hall prevailed in the ensuing shootout.
Excel Academy Under 12 Girls made up for the disappointment of the boys result by sweeping aside Codsall Middle School in a 4-0 win whilst the Under 14 Girls title went to Moorside with a 2-1 over Rawlett in a very close encounter.
Clayton Hall Academy just saw off Westwood with an odd goal in three victory and De Ferrers Under 15 Girls capped off a fine day for the school beating Alleynes Academy from Stone by 7-4 in an absolute goal fest.
The week was rounded off with a visit to Redditch to see all four Staffordshire boys represent England School's FA against Northern Ireland. They are a great credit to their schools and parents and as a County we are immenseley proud of their achievements.
Probably the busiest week of schools football in the Staffordshire calendar. Tonight, Monday 1st April, the U15 Boys complete their home programme with a game against neighbours Shropshire at Stafford Town FC KO 7-00pm. There is an admission charge of £3adults and £2 concessions. Players should report to the ground at 6pm and usual dress code applies.
On Tuesday the Under 15 Boys cup final pits Trentham Academy against John Taylor Academy. The game has a 6-45pm KO at Stafford Town FC and admission is £2adults and £1 concessions.
Wednesday sees the Under 16 Girls take on Shropshire at Lilleshall in their final game of the season. The management team have been disappointed as they were expecting the group to challenge for honours this season but team selection has been difficult because RTC's, with the exception of Stoke City have put the girls and their parents into impossible situations despite having lots of notice for fixtures. Hopefully the girls can end the season on a high note.
Thursday sees 6 cup finals take place at St Georges Park on the David Beckham pitch, between 10-00am and 2-30pm. All matches are 9-a-side and involve the U12 Boys and then the U12, U13, U14, U15 and U16 Girls finals..
On Friday night the four boys in the ESFA International squad will be at Redditch United in a Centenary Shield game and all have the best wishes of the Association with them.
On Tuesday the U14 Boys of Paulet HS in Burton met Repton, also a Burton and District School at Stafford Town FC in an enthralling cup tie. Repton took an early lead after Paulet missed a gilt edged chance with a fantastic strike but Paulet responded with an equally stunning finish from a free kick. Repton gradually got on top and went ahead midway through the second half and as Paulet tired they conceded two further goals at the death. Both teams put on a great show in the true traditions of schoolboy football with sportsmanship and mutual respect to the fore.
Repton also contested the Undr 18 final against locals Walton HS managed by an ex staffordshire county schools player. A very strong and talented Repton side dominated possession but it took them a large part of the first half to beat an inspired Walton keeper and some dogged Walton defending. Repton added two further goals to go in 3-0 at the break.
The second half saw a similiar pattern with Walton spending a large part of their time defending. Repton wer not to be denied and three further goals followed. Just when it looked as though an avalanche might follow the sheer doggedness and spirit of the Walton side came through and they responded with two late goals of their own. Another game played in fromt of a good humoured crowd by two teams who brought great credit to themselves and their schools.
Next week the U15 final takes place at Stafford Town FC on Tuesday KO5-45pm and theU12 Boys and all of the girls finals take place at St Georges Park starting at 10-00am on Thursday.
On Tuesday the U14 Boys of Paulet HS in Burton met Repton, also a Burton and District School at Stafford Town FC in an enthralling cup tie. Repton took an early lead after Paulet missed a gilt edged chance with a fantastic strike but Paulet responded with an equally stunning finish from a free kick. Repton gradually got on top and went ahead midway through the second half and as Paulet tired they conceded two further goals at the death. Both teams put on a great show in the true traditions of schoolboy football with sportsmanship and mutual respect to the fore.
Repton also contested the Undr 18 final against locals Walton HS managed by an ex staffordshire county schools player. A very strong and talented Repton side dominated possession but it took them a large part of the first half to beat an inspired Walton keeper and some dogged Walton defending. Repton added two further goals to go in 3-0 at the break.
The second half saw a similiar pattern with Walton spending a large part of their time defending. Repton wer not to be denied and three further goals followed. Just when it looked as though an avalanche might follow the sheer doggedness and spirit of the Walton side came through and they responded with two late goals of their own. Another game played in fromt of a good humoured crowd by two teams who brought great credit to themselves and their schools.
Next week the U15 final takes place at Stafford Town FC on Tuesday KO5-45pm and theU12 Boys and all of the girls finals take place at St Georges Park starting at 10-00am on Thursday.
The U14 Boys played Burton Albion in a thriller at Stafford Town last night. Staffortdshire are grateful for them stepping into the gap created by Warwickshire pulling out of the fixture.
Manager Nei Davies sends the following report:
Staffs U 14 Boys 4 Burton Albion 4
Staffs and Burton played out an entertaining friendly game at Stafford Town, with honours finishing even courtesy of a last minute equaliser from Staffs Captain Sol Ashworth. In truth, it would have been very unjust if Staffs had lost the game as they were excellent in the first half, deservedly leading 2-0 at the break thanks to strikes from Todd Alcock and Kyle Corns. The Staffs boys played some lovely football, using the flanks well with Euan Wade and Rafferty Winnall causing problems for Burton. Keeper George Lenton had to come off after getting injured making a super diving save.
Clearly strong words were said in the Burton dressing room at half time as they came out all guns blazing and were much more physical and direct in the second period scoring two quick goals to level the game at 2-2. Staffs then got caught in possession whilst driving forwards and Burton punished them on the counter attack to take the lead. Rafferty Winnall was then upended in the area and Todd Alcock calmly slotted in the penalty for his second goal of the night. Once again however the Staffs boys lost the ball in a key area of the pitch and the visitors swept back in front. Not to be denied Sol Ashworth finished superbly to level the game up at 4-4
Staffs were without 5 important squad members through injury or unavailability so it gave some of the other squad players the opportunity to impress. Lots of positives can be taken from the game and it’s very heartening that the boys were a little disappointed at only drawing with a pro club academy team after leading 2-0. With a crucial title decider coming up in 2 weeks time the boys just need to focus a little more on game management and also to protect the defence better against quick counter attacks but overall the season has been a great success.
On Monday 25th of March the U14 Boys were due to play Warwickshire in an MCF league fixture which had been arranged for months. They have pulled out of the fixture due to the unavailability of their team manager. Burton Albion have stepped in to the fill the gap and give the boys a game before the title decider with the West Midlands SFA on the 8th of April. KO is 7-00pm.
On Monday players should report at 6-00pm and usual dress code applies. There is a £3adults and £2 concessions admission charge. Manager Neil Davies has named the squad below for the game;
George Lenton
George Taylor
Dako Vujcic
Tommy Simkin
Lewis Hassall
Matt Cutler
Jensen Peake
Sol Ashworth
Todd Alcock
Rafferty Winnall
Alfie Clarke
Archie England
Will Finlay
Josh Onions
Kyle Corns
Woody Ford
*Standby Players*
Mason Pickering
Euan Wade
Jake Morgan
Eammon Clowes
Last night a large and knowlegable crowd watched two enthralling cup finals. First up Norton Canes played Excel Academy in the Under 13 final. This game showcased all that is good in schools football with two talented sides playing excellent football in front of an appreciative crowd who applauded both sides regularly for their efforts.
Norton Canes led by a single goal at half time and defended superbly against a skillful Excel side for a large part of the second half but the equaliser arrived 7 minutes from time. As the game moved towards extra time a sublime finish from twenty yards into the top corner of the Norton Canes net won the game for Excel. A stunning strike to end a belter of a game. It was wonderful to see both teams warmly applauded at the final whistle and both teams, staff and parents deserve a great deal of credit for providing a fantastic showcase of Staffordshire Schools Football.
The second game was also a thriller with Painsley meeting local rivals Thomas Alleynes. Painsley dominated the first half and deservedly led by 1-0 at half time. The second half was a different story with Alleynes now the dominant force and only some desperate defending and outstanding goalkeeping keeping Alleynes at bay. As the game moved into injury time Alleynes spurned a great chance to equalise and it looked as their day was to end poorly but a driven shot from the edge of the box in injury time gave them a deserved equaliser.
The drama of penalties decided the outcome with Painsley winning by 4-3. Always a cruel way to end a game but both teams deserve credit for the way that they played the game.
As the season moves towards its conclusion the weeks ahead become really busy and the week ahead is no different.
Tonight, Monday the 18th of March, the Under 15 boys travel to Rugby to meet champions elect Warwickshire and are the only unbeaten side in the league. The Staffordshire boys are the only team who have scored more than one against their opponents and a talented side will be looking to lower the Warwickshire colours.
At Stafford Town FC this evening the first of the Individual Schools Cup Finals are being played. In the Under 13 final Excel Academy from Stoke on Trent meet Norton Canes from Cannock KO 6-00pm. A local derby follows in the U16 final where Thomas Alleyne's from Uttoxeter take on Painsley from Cheadle KO 7-30pm. Admission to the games are £2 adults and £1 concessions.
The Under 18 game due to be played tomorrow against West Midlands has been postponed due to a double booking of the pitch at Boldmere and a new date is being sought. However the Under 16 boys travel to Herefordshire hoping to round off their season with a victory. Too many drawn games has been their downfall but they have had a really good season and it is hoped that the boys staying in education will be in next seasons Under 18 squad.
On Friday the four Staffordshire boys who are in the England squad will be playing Scotland at Inverurie Locos, near Aberdeen, and they have the best wishes of Staffordshire Schools.
On Thursday evening there is an important meeting of the MCF to decide on the best way forward for representative football for girls. The FA and the ESFA are so rigid in their stance that this season may well be the last for the MCF competition. More on this later.
@staffsschoolsfa will allow all to follow what is going on and will supplement the information available on the website.
Follow the account which is being run by Under 15 team Manager Bailey Evans.